Procurement is increasingly being recognized as more than a back-office function—it is a strategic lever for job creation, enterprise growth, and economic resilience.

 

Each year, trillions of dollars flow through Public and Private Sector supply chains. Governments, development institutions, and businesses are starting to ask how their purchasing power can be used more intentionally to create jobs, strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and build more resilient economies.

 

The World Bank Group Partnership Forum: Turning Procurement into a Jobs Engine will bring together leaders from the Private Sector, development institutions, and procurement communities to explore how procurement can generate measurable social and economic impact.

 

The forum aims to highlight emerging practices, strengthen engagement with the vendor community, and explore how procurement partnerships can support business growth, innovation, and job creation.

 

Through keynote remarks, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, the event will provide an opportunity for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among procurement leaders, policymakers, and vendors.

Morning Session (Hybrid)

 

Opening Remarks: Senior leadership from the World Bank Group

 

Keynote Address: Procurement, Innovation, Technology, and Jobs 

 

Panel Discussion: Strategic Procurement: Building Competitive Supply Chains Through SME Engagement

 

 

Afternoon Deep Dive (In Person Only)

 

Breakout Session 1: The Impact of AI on Job Creation and Procurement

A roundtable discussion on advancing more and better jobs while considering the role of AI in outsourced solutions.

 

Breakout Session 2: Measuring Procurement Impact

Perspectives from World Bank Group and private sector leaders on procurement as a driver of economic value.

The Forum is by invitation only to Private Sector companies, WBG staff and MDBs.

 

If your company would be interested in joining and you are currently a WBG active vendor – please reach out to corporateprocurement@worldbank.org.

The morning session will be held in hybrid format, allowing participants to attend either in-person at the World Bank Group Headquarters in Washington, DC or virtually using Webex.

 

The afternoon breakout sessions will be held in-person only.

Yes. RSVPs should be submitted no later than May 8, 2026 using the registration form.

 

Once your registration is received, the event team will contact you with confirmation, logistics, and participation details.

Yes. After registering, the event team will review registrations and send confirmation along with logistics, including event access details and any relevant updates.

Confirmed participants will receive:

  • Event logistics and arrival instructions
  • Building access information
  • Livestream access details (for virtual participants)
  • Updates on the agenda and speakers

All in-person participants should bring a valid government-issued photo ID in order to access the World Bank Group building.

 

Additional access instructions will be shared with confirmed attendees prior to the event.

Participants attending in person are encouraged to arrive early to allow time for building access procedures.

 

Final arrival guidance will be included in the logistics email sent to confirmed attendees.

Yes. The forum is designed to encourage dialogue and collaboration between the World Bank Group and its vendor community, including opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange.

Information regarding recordings or post-event materials will be shared with registered participants after the event, if available.